Browsing by Person "Ghazali, Ahmad Nizal Mohd"

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Feasibility and acceptability of a dietary intervention study to reduce salt intake and increase high-nitrate vegetable consumption among middle-aged and older Malaysian adults with elevated blood pressure: a study protocol
(BMJ Publishing Group, 2020-08-27) McGrattan, Andrea; Mohan, Devi; Chua, Pei Wei; Hussin, Azizah Mat; Soh, Yee Chang; Alawad, Mawada; Kassim, Zaid bin; Ghazali, Ahmad Nizal Mohd; Stephan, Blossom; Allotey, Pascale; Reidpath, Daniel; Robinson, Louise; Siervo, Mario
Introduction Global population ageing is one of the key factors linked to the projected rise of dementia incidence. Hence, there is a clear need to identify strategies to overcome this expected health burden and have a meaningful impact on populations’ health worldwide. Current evidence supports the role of modifiable dietary and lifestyle risk factors in reducing the risk of dementia. In South-East Asia, changes in eating and lifestyle patterns under the influence of westernised habits have resulted in significant increases in the prevalence of metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Low vegetable consumption and high sodium intake have been identified as key contributors to the increased prevalence of NCDs in these countries. Therefore, nutritional and lifestyle strategies targeting these dietary risk factors are warranted. The overall objective of this randomised feasibility trial is to demonstrate the acceptability of a dietary intervention to increase the consumption of high-nitrate green leafy vegetables and reduce salt intake over 6 months among Malaysian adults with raised blood pressure. Methods and analysis Primary outcomes focus on feasibility measures of recruitment, retention, implementation and acceptability of the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include blood pressure, cognitive function, body composition and physical function (including muscle strength and gait speed). Adherence to the dietary intervention will be assessed through collection of biological samples, 24-hour recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire. A subgroup of participants will also complete postintervention focus groups to further explore the feasibility considerations of executing a larger trial, the ability of these individuals to make dietary changes and the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing these changes.
Frequent Eating Out and 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Evidence from a Community Observatory in Malaysia
(Hindawi, 2022-03-07) Ang, Chiew Way; Ismail, Roshidi; Kassim, Zaid; Ghazali, Ahmad Nizal Mohd; Reidpath, Daniel; Su, Tin Tin; Siemianowicz, Krzysztof
Despite increasing mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in low- and middle-income countries, information on the estimation of 10-year CVD risk remains to be sparse. Therefore, this study was aimed at predicting the 10-year CVD risk among community dwellers in Malaysia and at identifying the association of distal (socioeconomic characteristics) and proximal (lifestyle practices) factors with 10-year CVD risk. We calculated the 10-year CVD risk score among 11,897 eligible respondents from the community health survey conducted by the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) using the Framingham risk score (FRS). The findings indicate that 28% of respondents have a high chance of having CVD within the next ten years. After adjusting for the age of respondents, demographic and socioeconomic factors such as gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, income, and occupation had an association with the 10-year CVD risk. In addition, frequent eating out had an association with 10-year CVD risk, while physical activity was found to have no association with predicted CVD risk. CVD remained among the top five mortality causes in Malaysia. Health promotion strategies should emphasize the importance of having home-cooked meals as a healthy dietary behavior, to reduce the mortality rate among Malaysians due to CVDs.